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Why is there so much hatred of intellectuals in US society?

Because we understand concepts that Trumpers don't want to hear...history, economics, science. Things like why it's cold in some places if climate change exists....why Trickle Down Economics is a con game......lies are NOT the new truth....immigrant women don't walk a 1000 miles with a baby (risking rape and whatever along the way just because they are plotting to steal your job)... racism is NOT right....the rich are their enemy---not the media....tariffs do not help ANY economy....Social security and Medicare are not "entitlements"--we worked for them and paid into them and they are separate from government money......things like that. Things their "news" sources NEVER tell them.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
@anythingoes477 the problem predates the rise of Trump. He's a symptom, not a cause. Even decades ago the athletes would be popular in school and the nerds were lambasted.
@ViciDraco It goes further back than that. In the earliest time the uneducated slaves hated the educated ruling class. Jealousy knows no bounds. The poor envy the rich. The ugly envy the beautiful. The stupid envy the smart. The have's envy the have not's. Usually when one class of people realize they will never be able to climb to the level of those they envy in life--be that money or brains---then they begin to slander those better than them in hopes they can bring the ones above them down to their level. That is seen commonly today. Those that know history--economics and science presents facts but since those lower on the IQ scale can't comprehend that they call it all fake.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
@anythingoes477 I think the fundamental flaw in that explanation is in judging some as being objectively better than others.

Humanity is a diverse and social species. Each of us have different strengths to bring to the table. The smart person is not a better person than the dumb one. They have different talents that can be combined for greater ends.

The slave class doesn't rise against the master class because they envied their betters. They rise against the master class when they realize that the masters are not better than them. The very notion that being smart or rich makes you better than someone else is much more damaging than the envy others may feel.

In fact, that very notion of entitlement IS hurting us today. It's not the envy of the have nots, it is the callous disregard of those who think they are better than others.
xixgun · M
I don't think there is. There's a lot of hatred for self proclaimed intellectuals. You know, those people that when you question them tell you that "you must be one of those moronic Trump supporters and are too stupid to understand". They don't grasp that there were about 3 insults in there and most people's limit is one.

The talking heads on tv seem to feel they are intellectuals, that's why they routinely tell us how stupid we are not to believe everything they tell us.
ViciDraco · 36-40, M
@xixgun I can agree that the elitist looking down upon of opposition party members is not helping.

But what about the general anti science sentiment? Denial of evolution, climate science, even longevity research in some cases. Even the fact that universities tend to have a more liberal bias has begun to make seeking college education a Target of ridicule.
xixgun · M
@ViciDraco I’ve not seen any of the anti scientific bias of which you spoke, though I do agree many so called intellectuals are giving higher education a bad name
SW-User
Cuz' Bubba done said that it takes more smarts to skin a squirrel than to intend collages and than tries to pay back all that monies ya burrowed for educagtion...

Bubba's a right smart man
Benarro · 31-35, M
they didn't hate it when it was telling them (mainly on religious grounds) that slavery and patriarchy etc was all A-ok. But once intellectuals started telling Republicans especially, but also the right-democrats, that they were racist scum killing the earth, they didn't like them so much anymore.
@Benarro I found it interesting when so many Republicans decided (while sending their kids to private schools) that the idea of everyone who wanted to being able to go to college was somehow “elitist”. 🤔
Benarro · 31-35, M
@bijouxbroussard almost as if they don't want *certain* people to be educated rather than everyone.
PrivatePeeks · 26-30, F
Knowledge might threaten the Republican voter base.
We don't need no stinkin liberals and their socialist ways in er country! They took er jobs! *swiles Pabst and crushes can with his head while his three girlfriends scream in the background about child support*
Ryannnnnn · 31-35, M
I guess people don't like being told they're wrong. People also like to destroy symbols of their personal lacking to feel justified in themselves.
There’s an anti-education vibe right now, which is really unfortunate. I’m guessing that the narrative is, you can be “real” (meaning authentic) or you can be “real smart”—but you can’t be both. It’s unfortunate because it’s [b]incorrect[/b] yet people have bought into it.
Mostly Fox, imo, but the Khardashians and Trump don't help.

 
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